Comparison of Women in "The Odyssey" and "Siren Song"

Not everyone has the same view on a topic as everyone else. People in life can have vast differences in how they perceive and interpret things, seen in Homer's epic, The Odyssey, and Margaret Atwood's poem, Siren Song. Through the use of diction, imagery and point of view, Homer describes the Sirens as a dangerous and challenging trial while Atwood sees the exact Sirens as foolish and silly.
First, Homer and Atwood's choice of diction displays the differences in their views. Homer depicts the Sirens as women with "honeyed" and "ravishing" voices, emphasizing the Siren's seductive song. When Odysseus hears the Siren's song and starts to react to it, his men "flung themselves [to] the oars" and "[sprung] up at once to bind [him] faster with ropes." Homer's choice of words makes crossing the Sirens seem intense and a proud achievement. Atwood, on the other hand, claims that the song is "irresistible;" however, it is "boring...but works every time." Atwood also states that the men who hear the song "leap overboard in squadrons." The men don't just jump or walk off the boat, they leap in squadrons, making the men seem ridiculous and impulsive. In addition, Atwood simply states in the Siren song that it is "fatal." The men, despite hearing that the Siren's song is fatal, ignore the "warning" and fall for their trap, further suggesting the idea that men are reckless. Atwood's selection of words makes her seem critical and pessimistic towards the Sirens.
Homer and Atwood's differences in perception towards the Sirens can also be seen in their use of imager. Homer makes the Sirens seem like a difficult and dramatic challenge through the use of imagery. Homer depicts the Siren's song as "high, thrilling," and "ravish." The detailed and strong imagery words Homer uses helps the reader envision a powerful enemy. In addition, Homer spends a whole paragraph devoted to describing how Odysseus prepared for the Sirens. Odysseus "sliced an ample wheel of beeswax" and "kneaded them in [his] two strong hands." The amount of preparation work that Homer makes Odysseus do for the Sirens makes the Sirens seem like a difficult challenge that must not be taken lightly. On the other hand, Atwood makes the Sirens seem silly; Atwood hints that only a fool would fall for their trap. In Atwood's poem, the Sirens claim to be next to "two feathery maniacs" who are "squatting on
In addition, the point of view in which Homer and Atwood display the Sirens from confirms the differences in their analysis of the Sirens. Homer displays the Sirens from Odysseus' view, while Atwood displays the Sirens from the Sirens' point of view. . In Homer's version, the Sirens single out Odysseus, crying, "Come...famous Odysseus - Archaea's pride and glory." However, Atwood's poem shows the Sirens simply state, "only...you are unique." Atwood's Sirens use a generic song; the Sirens call "you" instead of to the exact person, making the men who fall for their trap seem silly. The Sirens in Homer's version are specifically calling towards Odysseus, making them seem much more tempting. Also, Homer states that Odysseus hears the Sirens calling to him, promising him that he'll become a "wiser man." Homer makes Odysseus seem tempted by the hunger for knowledge, instead of Atwood's view that men lust for the Sirens. Odysseus Atwood sees the Siren's song as a generic song while Homer sees the song as a song that calls directly to someone.
Homer's dramatic and serious manner and Atwood's sarcastic and mocking attitude toward the Sirens are displayed through their diction, imagery, and point of view. Through the tones Homer and Atwood use, their true intentions can be determined. Homer's characterization of the Sirens as power vixens is to make Odysseus make more heroic. In contrast, Atwood's portrayal of the Sirens as unattractive birdwomen is to make men look foolish and stupid.